Plan your wedding...

13 Step Guide 

Sitting down and planning and coordinating your wedding can be both stressful and fun for you and your partner, which is why hitched.com.au is here to help you through every step. Our step-by step guide has been designed in a way to make the planning part both fun and easy. We wish you all the best for your forth coming marriage.

1. Step 1: Plan Your Budget

   If your current budget doesn’t quite add up you may want to consider speaking to one of the high street banks or the parents? However small or large your budget, you can be sure that there are services available that can fit within you budget and suit your needs. Visit our wedding diary planneron the hitched.com.au website for budget planning tips plus advice on how to allocate your spending.

2. Step 2: Find Your Venue

   Firstly we assume that you have a rough idea of the date you would like to get married. Choosing the perfect venue will almost dictate the actual date of the big day, unless you plan the date years in advance. Choosing the most suitable venue will take most of your time, but with our useful venue finder on the hitched.com.au website. There are hundreds of venues to browse through and we are sure you’ll find your perfect location for your wedding day. Once the venue and the ceremony have been arranged, the rest of the day planning will fall into place. One other important factor to consider when looking at venues is where you will spend your first night together as a married couple, as not all reception venues can act as a hotel, so it best to plan consider when viewing venues.

3. Step 3: Get Some Insurance

   An Insurance policy may not be the first thing on your mind when planning your wedding, however with the average wedding costing $30,000, it is important to consider the unfortunate mishaps that could cost you dearly? For instance, the venue could be cancelled at the last minute or poor health could mean you have to postpone. If you have purchased wedding insurance you can relax knowing full well for the sake of $200-$500 you do not have to worry about these situations. A complete list of insurance detailscan be reviewed on hitched.com.au.

4. Step 4: Select Your Rings

   Once you have purchased insurance and have the date locked in you can really start to spend. We all marry because we are in love, but aren’t we just as excited about the beautiful piece of jewellery on our finger? The traditions of a wedding are reported to come from the fact that a vein runs directly from your wedding finger to your heart, connecting the two continually. When selecting your ringyou are taking a step towards bonding yourselves together forever.

5. Step 5: Your Guest List

   Here comes the fun bit! Where do you begin with your guest list? The fact is that you have probably already had some thoughts about it. When you planned step 1 of our guide on your budget you presumably now have a budget decided and so it is safe to assume an idea of the size of your wedding party. To begin with our advice is always to keep it simple and start with the people closest to you, the family members, best man, bridesmaids, etc. Get the key players down on a large piece of paper and at the top write your names and in a sort of friends and family tree style work downwards in rows starting with the most important people and working until you have included everyone you can think of. This maybe a fairly long list, but don’t worry about the total number of guests you have written down, but think more about not overlooking anyone. Once you are sure you have everyone included, you can start discussing with you partner about grouping them into daytime, evening or crossing people off. Remember that it is after all your very special day so if there is somebody there will make it special for you, stand firm!

6. Step 6: Choosing The Dress

   Choosing the dress is traditionally one of the most fun and exciting parts of the wedding preparation process. On hitched.com.au there is huge number of dresses to be found in the bridal wear section, and many accessories to complete the fairy princess look. The Grooms wear, ushers, bridesmaids, pageboys and every other member of the wedding party also needed to be thought through to make sure that all key roles of the wedding party are coordinated.

7. Step 7: Order The Stationery

   Many of your close friends and family will be aware of your up and coming special day; it is now time to make it official. The invitations must be sent out well in advance so, while it may still be a little early, it is important to at least begin investigating designs and colours. If you want to ensure your guests save the date in their diaries send out some card now just to say when the day is. The stationery order can be themed by the colours in the rest of the day and is customarily sent out by the bride’s parents. The complete stationery order can include everything from order of service cards, save the date cards, place cards and invitations. Placing your order with one single supplier may save you some money and get a common theme throughout. The hitched.com.au website contains many stationery suppliers to get the ideal set for your special day.

8. Step 8: The Honeymoon

   After dealing with months of planning and trying to make the most important day of your life just right, you will need a holiday. Your honeymoon is the first few weeks as a married couple so it will be an exciting time for both of you. Researching online or popping down to your local travel agent early will avoid stress and ensure you have a relaxing break after the Wedding day. Don’t forget to check that you have at least 6 months validity on your passport before you travel, if not order a new one well in advance. If you are planning a trip to an exotic island, be sure to check any medical requirements before you leave and to check the visa situation. A little planning will ensure the holiday goes without a hitch.

9. Step 9: Arrange The Photographer

   There will be many wonderful memories throughout your wedding day that you will want to never forget. By hiring a quality photographer/videographer you can be sure you will capture all of these moments and reminisce over and over again. At this stage we also recommend you book yourwedding car and decide on the right colour coordinated and meaningful flowers to complement your day. The important and essential cake to eat during the evening, along with entertainment and music need to be thought about now. Our directory at hitched.com.au contains loads of professional and reliable professional services to help you organise and add the finishing touches to your special day.

10. Step 10: Your Wedding Gift List

    The reason for getting married is for love, however one special benefit is all the wonderful presents you receive from friends and relatives and as a bonus, you and your partner are able to choose the gifts! It is a real treat to be able to go into a store or online and choose anything you want. Creating a gift list is a good idea for couples who are already living together and have many items for the home and also will avoid you receiving three of the same item.Wedding gift lists can be arranged at any leading department stores and even easier with a number of easy to use online guides. For more detailed information on creating your own gift list, use the Wedding List Ideas section on the hitched.com.au site.

11. Step 11: Send Out Your Invitiations

    If you have sent out ‘save the date’ cards to your guests then they should be aware of when the wedding is and will be standing by for the official invitation in their letter box. We recommend that you send out your invitations a minimum of 8 weeks before your wedding. If you are planning to invite overseas guests then it would be advisable to send the invitations earlier in order for the replies to come back. It could take a while before you have all your replies back to you so it is a good idea to have a reserve list of people that you would like to invite.

12. Step 12: The Buck's and Hen's Nights

    Your last night of freedom to really let yourself go wild is the stag or hen night. This night is all about you and should get you in the mood for your wedding. The responsibility of organising this lies with the bridesmaids and best man and they are usually big nights and a lot of fun. Stag and Henparties are now turning into weekend events.

13. Step 13: The Finishing Touches

    Each and every wedding is unique to the individual so it is difficult to pin point exactly what the final touches are that you will need to think about. Some things you may want to consider are speeches, readings, rehearsals, seating plans, order of service, first night accommodation, returning hired suits, thank you cards, etc. If you still need more advice and help, please look through the rest of hitched.com.au wedding site and for specific guidance from other wedding planners, check out the wedding planning forum.

Planning your wedding....

Are you Making the top 10 Rookie Mistakes brides make when planning a wedding? 

We asked planning guru Jane Anderson of 'Calm Happy Bride' which mistakes to avoid ... AND she has an exclusive gift for Wedding Style Guide readers  ... 

"Some weddings are just different.  They linger in your memory as especially beautiful and individual.  You know the ones, they seem effortless and everything just feels 'right'. 

Well, they are the weddings where the bride is fully 'there' on the day ... she's in the moment... all the details are handled ... ALL of them ... and she is free to enjoy the day. 

We see a lot of brides get into the middle of their wedding planning and feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the task and all the decisions they have to make. 

Getting a grip on the details, and keeping your cool, is so important to creating a special and individual event.

So, here are 10 'rookie mistakes' to avoid if you don't want to turn into one of those harpy creatures that no-one - including your husband to be - recognises!!  

1) You aren't sequencing your purchasing decisions strategically... It sounds sensible, but many brides rush to buy all the small details, and then find that the larger factors, the venues for instance, don't really work. Getting the sequencing right is everything in putting together an amazing event. It means it all hangs together more coherently and you aren't spending twice! 

2) You don't really know what you are spending …. We find that breaking costs down to totals per head is a real reality check. If you do this, you can see what the wedding, or the reception, is really costing. Then you can make an informed assessment of whether that's reasonable or whether you need to make some adjustments. 

3) You haven't actually heard the band playing... Music can make or break a wedding. If you are having any form of live music, you MUST listen to them before hand, either on CD or via a download or go and visit them at a gig. For both the ceremony and the reception, music is key and it's too late on the night if you discover your band is more karaoke that ratpack.

4) You asked your bridesmaids before you talked about costs and expectations... Tricky one, especially if you aren't intending to meet all the costs of their participation in your wedding. Be clear with your attendants about your expectations of them, both in terms of what you expect them to pay for and what you would like them to do on the day. Often, people will be looking for gentle direction from you as they want you to be happy with the day. 

5) You are 'telling' your suppliers what you want ... We see this alot. Talking relies on the picture in the other person's mind matching the one in yours and is not very reliable. For instance 'antique white' can be different things to different people... some think of the Dulux colour, others think more cream. So, where possible send photographs, send fabric swatches, email images of what you want and be precise IN WRITING. Don't assume your suppliers and attendants just know what you are talking about. Show them. 

6) You think you need a wedding planner ... We have nothing against wedding planners. Some do a truly exceptional job. But, you can plan and deliver your wedding yourself as long as you have a good plan. There are some secrets, but it isn't a black art and especially if you are on a budget, effective delegation and prior organisation will get you through the day. 

7) You haven't met your photographer... Sitting down with your chosen photographer or videographer - the person actually taking your photos on the day - is really important. What they deliver will be the record of the day forever. Firstly, you need to get along. They will be an important component on the day and if you don't click, it can be really awkward. Secondly, its a chance to give a list of 'must have' photos of people.  And thirdly, it will give you a chance to understand how they work. For instance, will there be a big spotlight if you are having a video. If your photographer can't meet you, think about changing to one who can prioritise you. 

8) You haven't spoken with your fiancé about what you expect from each other on the wedding day ... This is an interesting one which we hear quite a lot. The last thing you think you need to think about is your fiancé right? He's going to want to spend every minute by your side right? Ok, every couple is different, but a quick chat with the love of your life about how you would both like to the wedding to go is a good idea. Sounds unromantic, but sometimes assumptions and expectations are wildly different and can lead to disappointment. 

9) You are copying your best friend's wedding... Taking inspiration from weddings you love is a great idea, but replicating has a sense of competition and will leave the day feeling empty. Plan your wedding, your way and ensure the day is a reflection of you and your fiance. 

10) You don't have a step-by-step plan ....  Please, please, please plan. You need two, one to guide you in the preparation and one for the wedding day. If you don't have both you will run over budget (more than 85% of brides say they did) and you are likely to get more frazzled than you need to be... that will effect you, your relationships and the day itself. So, plan the plan, then do the plan!"

Click here to receive your complimentary Calm Happy Bride wedding day running sheet ... exclusively available to Wedding Style Guide readers and only for this week!   

To access more professional secrets and proven tools, click the link to check out Calm Happy Bride ... http://www.calmhappybride.com

Why not include your pet in the wedding...

Preparing YourPooch For Their Role On Your Special Day

By Katie PrestonToepfer 

 

If you’ve decided that your wedding is going to be a gathering of your nearest and dearest friends and family both of the two and four-legged kind, that’s fabulous!

There are however just a few little things you may want to do to ensure your furry guests are prepared for your big day and their part in the celebrations. 

Firstly you want to make sure that they are familiar with the venue. Take them to the ceremony and the reception venue if they will be attending both so they can sniff around and become a little more familiar with everything. 

 

If you have an outfit for them or special collar, give them a chance to wear it for a least a few hours at some point before the big day. Ensure they are comfortable, and get used to the feeling of it.

Scout out the area with your dog and make sure there is a place that the person taking care of your dog on the day can set up a water bowl for your beloved pet.

If your dog is well trained and you’ve decided they will have a specific task on the day, like bring the rings down the aisle on their own or run down with a ‘here comes the bride’ sign, practice with them a few times before your wedding. If possible, bring a few friends with you who will also be attending the wedding.

Remember, your dog might get distracted or overwhelmed by all the people they see. The person at the end of the aisle can use things like small treats to entice your dog to execute their duties perfectly. 

Preparing your pooch for your wedding is really important. Having said that, dogs can be unpredictable at times so just make sure that if they do something you weren’t expecting, like stop halfway down the aisle to get a pat from someone they know or do a little piddle, it’s no big deal.

Wedding hair trends..

WEDDING HAIR TRENDS 2013

 

 

Like most hair trends we look to the Red carpet and Fashion week for inspiration- A Wedding is no different.

This season we are influenced by the latest Movie: The Gatsby – with the Vintage 20’s water waves and classic styles being more and more requested by brides – even their hair accessories are vintage inspired.   

The classic ballerina bun: This trend has been popular in the last few seasons but we see it with a modern take on a classic look some wearing it high and sleek and even Hilary Duff had a messy looser version!

Braid: For a romantic look try a braid – One bride said that she didn’t mind what hairstyle her bridesmaids had, all she wanted was for a braid to be incorporated in each style. This was a good way for everyone to have a style that suited them but have one thing that tied it all together.

One other big trend which is becoming more popular is the Bride having two styles on the day – one for the Ceremony, generally more formal and structured and one for the Reception, generally looser relaxed and even taken down- you will need to ask your hairstylist if this is a service they offer if it is something you may consider. Be sure to consider it in your budget too as this will be an extra cost.

Deciding on the right hair style for your wedding can be a difficult task!   I tell all my brides to take the style of their dress, face shape and overall theme of their wedding into consideration- eg vintage, glamour etc. 

Choosing a style that is classic, timeless and elegant is most important and looking back on your memories in years to come it won’t have dated!

The most important thing to remember when choosing hair for your wedding is that you feel comfortable with the style you have chosen. Because, you don’t want to be feeling uncomfortable on one of the most important days of your life!

Hair: Grace Fratamico                        Makeup: Genna Trolio       Josie – Laque Hair and Beauty

 

Not enough hours in a day...

　
 

Permanent makeup Do you ever feel like there are just not enough hours in the day?

 

 

 

When every minute counts, sometimes it’s nice to take a few things off your list on a permanent basis. The solution you are looking for may well be permanent makeup - a cosmetic procedure that involves tattooing the skin to give the appearance of wearing makeup.

Using inks to change the pigmentation of the dermis, the procedure can be used to replicate eye makeup and lipstick, and also draw in missing features such as eyebrows or beauty spots. In some cases it is used also for disguise – to hide scars, white spots or facial blemishes.

Once you have decided what kind of look you want, and chosen your colours, a preparatory outline is then sketched onto your skin. The pigment is applied with a hollow needle, and the colour released into fine holes in the top layer of your skin. The procedure may sting slightly and the colours will take a few weeks to fade, but there are no side effects and you will be left with a long term natural looking solution, that saves you time, and keeps you looking fresh and ready to go, every day.

 

Selina Lam is an Australian Certified Trainer of SofTap® Cosmetic Tattoo and certified supplier of SofTap products. She is well known for her professional reputation and skill, and her ability to apply makeup in a precise and detailed way, giving you a subtle and natural look. She is also renowned for her work in disguising scarring, and skin discolouration and for reproducing the appearance of pigment in reconstructed areolas.

SofTap® Permanent Cosmetics offer high quality training, pigments, and 100% disposable hand tools to permanent cosmetic professionals. Selina is available for one to one training in SofTap® machine free techniques, or for a free no obligation consult. Using the SofTap® range of products, Selina can tailor the look you need from bold and exotic to subtle and natural. SofTap® clients can enjoy professional permanent makeup solutions for eyes, eyebrows, lips, and more.  

Selina Lam and SofTap® products

GROOMS DUTIES

What Are the Duties of the Father of the Groom?

 

      

The parents of the bride play a vital role in planning their daughter's wedding, and traditionally, the father of the groom has had little to do. Times have changed and the father of the groom is becoming a bigger part of the planning and execution of his son's wedding. Some couples choose to include the groom's father in everything from planning the location of the ceremony to checking on the guests' welfare at the wedding reception.

1. Offer Assistance

   • Offer to help with planning, whether it's site planning or travel arrangements for out of town guests. Don't be afraid that you're stepping on toes. It is quite likely that your assistance will be appreciated.

   Host Rehearsal Dinner

   • The parents of the groom host the rehearsal dinner, which is usually held the night before the wedding. The rehearsal dinner may easily be the most fun, most relaxed part of the wedding. The father of the groom can help make it a positive experience for everyone involved.

   Toast

   • The host of the rehearsal dinner, traditionally the groom's father, will make the first toast to the happy couple. If you're nervous about speaking in public it's fine to plan ahead. You can't go wrong if you speak from your heart as it will mean a great deal to your son and his fiance.

   Receiving Line

   • If there is a receiving line during the reception you will need to be part of it. Greet guests with a smile and thank them for attending the wedding.

   Alcohol Watch

   • While it's not the most glamorous of duties, the father of the groom insures that guests of the rehearsal dinner and wedding reception drink responsibly. Don't be afraid to close down the bar if too many guests have had enough.

   Moral Support

   • From talking with your son about his plans to propose to helping him work through his pre-wedding jitters, a father's role is to encourage his son throughout the engagement and marriage process. Your son will have lifelong memories of your support.

   Welcome

   • Make it a point to welcome your new daughter-in-law and her family into your family. This kindness will help set the tone for a pleasant relationship

Some tips on how to make a wedding speech...

TWELVE TIPS TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR WEDDINGSPEECH

If the thought of having to make a wedding speech leaves you feeling weak at the knees, then perhaps these brief ideas will help you perform successfully.

1.      First, ask about the venue – indoors or out?  Is there a lectern, mike or anything else that may assist you?  Then, consider how long you wish to speak – not too long or short – three to seven minutes and remember it is about the couple; not you and that some attendees may talk through your speech – stay cool!

2.      Consider your audience – probably all ages and backgrounds – be inclusive and don’t be so smart as to offend anyone.  The Bride and Groom want to remember the special day and so don’t embarrass them too much.  Done with love, kindness and respect with a little humour, it will be remembered as another highlight.

3.      The first thing to do is to reflect on the reaction you wish to get to your speech after you have sat down.  Be inspired that your small contribution will be memorable for all the right reasons.

4.      So in writing your words, do some research; ask their friends to tell you of their poignant and funny personal experiences with them and include your own memories.  There would be many incidents worth sharing that won’t make them blush!  Parents and relations are often good for stories of when they were young.  Remember to do it with empathy and only use the best ones.

5.      Gather all your information and then write it out just as you feel it works in the raw form.   Then read it again and look at other descriptions and words.  Consider if your message will be interesting and will have impact – a worthwhile contribution to the wedding.

6.      Then, find an arresting opening; something to catch the attention.  Your conclusion should also have impact and connect with the opening.  Ensure that glasses are charged if you are proposing the toast.  In due course say… “Would you please rise for the toast to the bride and groom – the bride and groom.

7.      The language should be what you would use in everyday conversation, but reach out to your audience.  They are probably relaxed having enjoyed a few drinks – in party mode.

8.      Attempt to paint word pictures and if you able to prepare your speech early, you will be able to modify it and use phrases and language that lift your speech.  You may be able to add to comments made earlier by others.

9.      Your speech needs to use a logical progression of thoughts, but you don’t need to work through a chronological time-line and in fact, moving backwards and forwards and around may work better.  Experiment with various ideas for the ‘wow factor’.

10.   In developing your speech, you may want to gather feedback from someone you know who is a good speaker and experienced.  Practise your delivery (perhaps to the family pet) and speak slowly.  Repetition can be works powerful.

11.   Don’t be afraid to make changes to your speech as the confidence in your message grows.  The use of timbre in your voice is important, as is eye contact and strategic pauses can be helpful, but don’t overdo them.

12.   Your audience will be with you all the way.  They will understand your challenge and will love your effort.  Finally, enjoy yourself.  You have been provided with a great opportunity, a wonderful honour and you will do better than you think.  Afterwards, you will feel delighted with the positive feedback. 

Adelaide Public Speaking will help make your speak exciting and stress free...speak to our good friend Peter Martindale...

APP

SUBSCRIBE WITH OUR APP AND DOWNLOAD ALL MAGAZINES FOR A PERIOD OF TIME . CLICK ON THIS LINK

Father of the Bride

Father of the Bride Duties

The most important role played by the father of the bride is that of supporting his daughter - emotionally and financially, as you always have.

Whilst the bride and mother of the bride will probably arrange the majority of the wedding, there will always be something you can help with. Find out from the start if they need help with anything specific, and then continue to offer your help throughout the following months. Perhaps you can help with writing the invitations, making favours or table plans or just helping with the fetching and carrying.

Agreeing the budget

The mother and father of the bride traditionally paid for the entire wedding. Given that the average cost of a wedding in the Australia is now more than $40,000, it is no longer expected that the father of the bride should foot the whole bill. The bride & groom often pay a lot more towards their big day and the groom's parents may also contribute.
Before they can start planning their wedding, the bride & groom need to know how much money they have to pay for the wedding. No one likes to bring up the subject of money, but your daughter will feel much less awkward if you bring up the subject first. Let them know how much you plan to contribute towards the cost of the wedding. The earlier they know, the earlier they can start planning - so try and discuss this as soon as you can after the engagement.
Whether you give them a lump sum towards the cost or pay for particular items is up to you. Whilst the latter is more traditional - it can cause more confusion, especially if your daughter has to keep asking you to write a cheque every five minutes. Unless you are organising specific aspects - it is often a lot easier to give them the money upfront.

Father of the bride speech

The father of the bride is the first person to make a speech, which can be nerve wracking even for the most confident people. Unlike the best man's speech, the father of the bride's speech is usually quite serious. There is of course nothing wrong with adding humour - a few light hearted comments in the right place may be required to stop you getting too emotional! The father of the bride speech is your opportunity to say a few choice words about your daughter.
Don't leave writing your speech until the last minute. Make a note of the following: memories of your daughter when she was younger, what makes her so special and finally your thoughts now as she begins her married life. Keep a notepad nearby and write down your thoughts as you think of them. For help on writing your speech, key things to include, tips and ideas - see wedding speeches.

Hosting the day

The father of the bride usually assumes the role of official host together with the hostess (mother of the bride) regardless of who actually pays for the wedding. Whilst this is the norm, it is not uncommon for both sets of parents to host the wedding. In fact, some weddings are hosted by the bride & groom themselves, especially if they have paid for the majority of the wedding.
The hostess is responsible for meeting and greeting the guests as they arrive, whilst the host should look out for all his guests - ensuring they have drinks. Whether you are the host or not, you should still try to meet all the guests and socialise throughout the day.

Wedding gifts

Traditional household appliances or furniture are popular wedding gifts from the parents of the bride & groom as a gift to help them set up home. However, as the cost of the average wedding increases - many parents are finding themselves paying out more than they would have done 10 years ago. It is now perfectly acceptable not to buy a wedding gift if you are contributing towards the cost of the wedding. If your contribution is to be their wedding gift, make that clear early on.

Wedding Check List

Planning a Wedding...so much to think of....

Planning a wedding can be an incredibly overwhelming task for someone who has never planned one before. So much planning and so many details are involved in a wedding that it is difficult to know where to start. Rather than diving into the whole affair without a plan, make time to put together a wedding checklist so you know what you have to do.

To begin, sit down with a pen and paper and make a list of everything you need to do. The first step to maintaining wedding planning sanity is to draw out the plans for everything you will need. This includes coordinating details ranging from the bride’s dress to bridesmaids gowns, tuxedos, location of both the wedding and reception, officials, decorations, reception food and entertainment and much more.

Step one on the wedding checklist should be to have a clear understanding of what your vision is for your special day. A good place to start is finalizing colours for both the wedding and the reception.

Once the overall vision for the affair is settled and a date is nailed down, it’s time to move on to step two on the wedding checklist: the venue. Before you can plan decorations or anything else involving the ceremony or reception, you have to know where both will be held. With the date, call around to some possible places, including country clubs, reception halls, parks and more. The possibilities are nearly endless depending on your vision for the day. Enlist the help of the bridesmaids in checking out a variety of reception venues. 

After a venue is chosen, plan the decour. If it’s just the venue for the ceremony, plan how you will decorate or plan seating options, the aisle itself, the altar and more. The decorations can be as extravagant as you – and again the budget – dictate, or simple. Flowers are a must, regardless of the size of the affair, and for this you will need to once again coordinate with a florist who can make that dream come true. 

 

The florist will come into play again in planning the reception’s decor. All receptions have flowers, whether they are just on the registration table or make up centrepieces on each and every table as well as decor around the room. Make sure the bride likes the arrangements, and that they are elegant and do not in any way prohibit guests from getting around the room and conversing easily.

The reception will also involve food, and you must coordinate with the venue, if it provides menu options, or a caterer. You may choose to simply have finger food and drinks while others wish for full meals. Make sure the invitations, which you must also keep tabs on, dictate which will be available. Entertainment at the reception is also a must, since this a celebration of the couple’s new life together. Choose either a DJ to spin records or a live band in whatever genre is appropriate.

 Overall, your job is made significantly easier by simply following the wedding checklist. It will enable you to fulfill all of your wants while at the same time ensuring you stick within your budget. This entire process can become overwhelming for anyone, and if this happens there is no shame in suggesting the bride employ a wedding planner. A wedding planner is experienced in providing perfect days for couples, and can pick up where you left off and finish the task with excellent results. After all, the best part of the day will be knowing that the bride and groom had the wedding of their dreams, regardless of who planned the affair.

Matron of Honour Duties

 

Planning a wedding can be extremely stressful, because it's the one day that you have been waiting for all your life and you want it to be perfect! However, you do not need to go through the load of wedding planning alone. Having an ally or confidant by your side, will help you go through these nerve-racking times. As the bride, you need to just look pretty and enjoy your wedding day. Delegate your responsibilities to the matron of honour, who can be a close friend or family member, and just relax. Handling the bridesmaids, telling them what to do, getting other wedding preparations underway, etc. are all part of the matron of honour's duties. A matron of honour is truly a person of honour, because she takes away the burden from the bride's shoulders.

Duties of the Matron of Honour 

The matron of honour is somebody who will not only help you with preparations for the wedding, but is somebody who will stand by you for every little, or major need on the wedding day. Let's have a look at the different matron of honour responsibilities before and on the wedding day.

Pre-Wedding Matron of Honour Duties
She helps the bride and groom with decisions regarding the wedding theme, wedding location, reception site and even looks into the stay arrangements for out-of-town guests.
She helps the bride find an appropriate wedding decorator, helps find a wedding cake baker and also assists in selecting the best designs for the reception site, cake, etc.
She helps the bride pick designs for the wedding invitations and get them printed. Moreover, helps the bride organize her guest list and address the invitations to all the guests.
She also helps the bride prepare the bride wedding day emergency kit and makes sure every essential item is placed in the kit.
She helps the bride with the wedding gown preparations. If the bride is getting a ready-made gown, then she helps the bride shop for it, else she goes with her to buy the gown material and also accompanies her to the designer. She also helps the bride with the purchase of other bridal accessories like shoes, tiara, jewellery, etc.
The matron of honour also helps the bride pick the bridesmaid's and flower girls' dresses. Moreover, she coordinates with the bridesmaids and informs them about the days for fitting, etc.
She helps the bride with the wedding favor arrangements and gives her valuable advice in this matter as well. She also helps pick gifts for the bridesmaids.
The matron of honour also helps the bride select wedding favors for the guests.
She also plans the bridal shower and bachelorette parties, with the help of the bridesmaids.
Organizes the wedding rehearsal and dinner rehearsal and ensures everybody involved attends it. She also handles all queries regarding the same.
She also makes appointments at a hair/beauty salon for the bridesmaids and ensures all of them get ready in time.
During the Wedding
The matron of honour makes sure the bride reaches the parlor, gets ready and reaches the church on time. She also ensures the bridesmaids are ready on time and are well aware of their respective duties.
The matron of honour should also shepherd the bridal party into the Church for the bridal march, at the appropriate time. She is to oversee the flower girls, page boys and bridesmaids. She should ensure the flower girls have their baskets, the page boy has the ring cushion, etc.
During the wedding ceremony, she holds the wedding bouquet of the bride.
The matron of honour can also be witness while signing the marriage certificate in Church. However, this is optional. You can ask anybody to be the witness.
After the wedding ceremony is over, the matron of honour gathers the bridal troop for photographs.
She also sees to the car arrangements for the bridal couple to drive in and reach the wedding reception site (of course, this is only if the wedding and reception site are different).
During the Reception
At the reception site, she oversees the different wedding arrangements and ensures everything is in order.
If the bride plans to change her attire before the wedding reception, then the matron of honour assists the bride in these arrangements as well. The matron of honour also gives the matron of honour speech.
During the wedding dance, the matron of honour dances with the best man.
She, along with the bridesmaids invite guests to sign the guest book.
The matron of honour also keeps an eye on the bride throughout the reception and ensures she gets a drink or a bite or two during the reception. She also helps her with some makeup touch ups.
The matron of honour also keeps track of the gifts received at the wedding reception and stores them properly, if nobody else is assigned for the task.
After the Wedding
She ensures all the gifts are carefully assembled and sent away to the required location by car, or any other means of transport.
Helps the bride change into her going-away outfit and stores the bridal gown and other accessories neatly and safely. She also makes sure the belongings are sent safely to the bride's house.
She also reminds the bride to give the bridesmaids, flower girls and page boy their gifts.
The bride will be on cloud nine, so it's the matron of honour's duty to thanks the bridesmaids and the other members of the bridal party for their good efforts.
There are no hard and fast rules pertaining to the matron of honour duties. The above list may seem intimidating to some, however, these were some general guidelines with respect to the role of a matron of honour. The bride may delegate some responsibilities to other people, considering all this is too much for a single person to handle. The matron of honour responsibilities will vary from one bride to another. Just remember to choose somebody reliable, responsible and trustworthy as your maid of honour. All the best!